How to Raise an Orphaned Squirrel

Start by trying to find the squirrel's mother. While you can definitely raise a baby squirrel, no one can care for it as well as its mother. So when you find an abandoned squirrel, it’s crucial to search for its mother before taking any further action. The mother squirrel will return to collect her baby if it is still warm.

• If the baby has become cold, the mother may not accept it back, as she could assume it is sick or dead. You’ll need to decide whether to keep monitoring the situation. If the squirrel is injured, cold, or it’s nighttime and the mother hasn't returned after 1-2 hours, it is likely abandoned and will need your help.
• The scent of human hands on the baby squirrel will not stop the mother from accepting it back, so don’t worry about touching the animal.
• If there are multiple babies and one has died, the mother will not accept the surviving one. In this case, you’ll need to decide whether to take the remaining baby in, and wait to see if the mother will eventually accept it once the scent of the deceased baby fades.

Gently pick up the baby squirrel. Be sure to wear thick leather gloves (for your safety), and take this opportunity to observe for any injuries, mites, blood, swelling, or wounds. If the squirrel is bleeding or you notice broken bones or severe injuries, seek a veterinarian immediately. Most vets won’t treat a squirrel without a permit. In such cases, contact any local wildlife rescue services for assistance.

Keep the baby squirrel warm. Since baby squirrels cannot generate heat on their own, you must warm them up. Use or acquire a heating pad, electric blanket, hot water bottle, or even hand warmers. The best option is a heating pad with circulating warm water, as it provides the most controlled temperature. Ensure the heating device you choose operates at low to medium heat.

• The baby squirrel should be kept at approximately 37°C. If you have a thermometer (or can borrow one), use it to create the ideal environment for the squirrel’s health.
• Some heating pads automatically turn off after a few hours, so check them regularly to ensure they remain on. If you have no other options for keeping the baby squirrel warm, purchase a non-auto-off heating pad. Its survival will depend on it. You can also place a towel over the top of the box or its lid with ventilation holes to retain heat inside.

Find a small box. After securing a heating source, the next thing you need is a small box, basket, or a plastic food container about three square inches (with ventilation holes in the lid). Place the heating source on one side. This way, if the squirrel gets too hot, it can move to the cooler side. If you’re using a heating pad, place it beneath the box, not inside with the squirrel.

• Create a nest in the box with materials from where you found the squirrel. Make the nest circular and place the squirrel inside. Position the heating source near the nest, but don’t let it come into direct contact with the squirrel.
• If needed, you can use soft fabric from old clothes. Avoid towels as the squirrel might get its toes stuck in the fabric and injure itself, potentially breaking its ankle or leg.

Try finding the squirrel's mother again. Place the nest outside. If the area is free from dogs, cats, raccoons, and other predators, you can place the nest directly on the ground. If you’re unsure, it’s safer to put it on a tree branch or a pole.

• Since the squirrel’s body is warm, it will instinctively call for its mother. If she is nearby, this is a great opportunity for her to come and take the baby. Just like cats, mother squirrels will carry their babies, so you needn’t worry about leaving the nest on the tree.

Bring the nest inside. After about 1-2 hours, it's time to face the reality. There are many reasons the mother squirrel might not return, such as injury or death. In any case, this is when you need to step in and care for the baby squirrel.

• If you have dogs or cats at home, make sure to place the squirrel in a protected area where other animals cannot reach it.
• Remember to frequently keep the nest warm.

Find a squirrel rescue center. Call local veterinarians, animal rescue centers, humane societies, and wildlife protection groups to get a referral for a wildlife rescuer to take in the squirrel. You can also search online using the keywords "squirrel rescue" along with your state and city.

• Visit the site http://www.thesquirrelboard.com for advice on caring for a baby squirrel until you find a rescuer. This is a forum where you can join and ask questions, and they will help you care for the baby squirrel until a rescuer is found.
• If you can’t find a rescuer, the squirrel committee can help you care for the baby until it’s ready to be released back into the wild.

Keep in mind that some countries and states have strict regulations regarding the care of baby squirrels. In the UK, it is illegal to raise, keep, or release grey squirrels into the wild, and the penalty can be up to two years in prison. Some U.S. states, like Washington, have laws that prohibit the possession or care of sick, injured, or abandoned wild animals, including squirrels, unless you’re transporting them to a licensed rescue center. Learn about the laws in your area and remember that you could face legal action if caring for abandoned wildlife is prohibited where you live.

Clean the baby squirrel. Be aware that baby squirrels may carry parasites such as fleas, ticks, mites, and maggots. Use a comb and/or tweezers to remove fleas and ticks. Petco also offers flea and mite sprays made specifically for small animals like hamsters. Always check to ensure the product is safe for squirrels. You can also use non-chemical products like diatomaceous earth and Dawn dish soap (only the blue kind).

• If the squirrel is very young, do not apply chemicals directly to its skin. Spray chemicals onto fabric around the baby, avoiding contact with any wounds, as chemicals can cause pain if applied to injuries.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after cleaning the baby squirrel, as parasites can transfer to you or other animals.

Check for signs of dehydration. You can test for dehydration by gently pinching the skin on the squirrel. If the pinched skin stays raised for more than a second, it is a sign of dehydration. A dehydrated baby squirrel needs water as soon as possible, as you may not know when it last ate or drank.

• Wrinkled skin, sunken eyes, or a gaunt appearance are also signs of dehydration.

Choose the right fluid. Most orphaned baby animals require hydration. A better option is to head to the supermarket or pharmacy and buy Pedialyte, which is available in the baby care section. Pedialyte also has a specific product for rehydrating infants (Gerber also offers a similar product). Squirrels tend to like fruit flavors, but you can use unflavored water if no flavored version is available. Do not use Gatorade or any other sports drinks.

• If there are no supermarkets or pharmacies nearby, here is a recipe to make your own:
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 3 teaspoons of sugar
• 1 liter of warm water
• Mix thoroughly

Use an oral syringe. This type of syringe does not have a needle. Do not use a syringe larger than 5cc; ideally, opt for a 1cc syringe. You can visit a local pharmacy to purchase a needle-free syringe.

Check the squirrel’s body temperature. There’s no need to use a thermometer to measure precise body temperature—just feel the squirrel’s body to check if it’s warm. This is a crucial step before offering any fluids, as the squirrel won’t be able to digest food if its body is cold.

Be extra careful when feeding hairless baby squirrels. If the squirrel is hairless and red, it’s likely about 5-7.5cm long. Such young squirrels are highly prone to choking, and fluids can enter their lungs. This can cause pneumonia and potentially lead to death. To prevent choking, hold the squirrel upright in the palm of your hand and direct the syringe toward the roof of its mouth. Do not force the squirrel to feed—gently squirt when it’s still willing to eat. It will take about an hour to feed 1cc, and you’ll need to keep doing this until it learns to suck from the syringe.

• The fluid should be warm, but not too hot. Any unused portion can be stored in the fridge.
• For squirrels at this early stage, just drop one drop on its lips and allow it to suck. If the squirrel doesn’t suck, drop a little into its mouth to let it taste it first. Some squirrels will open their mouths to suck the liquid in.
• If the squirrel’s eyes are open, you can gently push the syringe into its mouth and squirt a few drops into it.
• If fluid spills from the mouth or comes out of the nose, you’re feeding too quickly. Immediately tilt the squirrel’s head downward for 10 seconds, then wipe the fluid from both nostrils, and wait for about a minute before resuming feeding.

Feed with the appropriate amount. For baby squirrels that are still red and haven’t opened their eyes, feed 1cc every two hours; for squirrels with fur but still no open eyes, feed 1-2cc every two hours; for squirrels that have opened their eyes, feed 2-4cc every three hours until the rescue team contacts you with further guidance.

• If the squirrel refuses to open its mouth or doesn’t respond when fed, take it immediately to an animal rescue worker and request electrolyte fluid therapy. If done correctly, your squirrel will start eating again.
• Feed every two hours throughout the day until the squirrel is two weeks old. After that, feed every three hours until the eyes open. Continue feeding every four hours until the squirrel stops nursing, around seven to ten weeks old.

Stimulate the baby squirrel. You need to stimulate the baby squirrel to help it urinate and defecate when its eyes haven’t opened. Gently wipe its genital and anal area with a cotton ball soaked in warm water, or use a cotton swab until it urinates or defecates. Otherwise, the squirrel’s belly will bloat and this can be fatal.

• In the wild, the mother squirrel would perform this task for her young. If the squirrel is severely dehydrated and hasn’t eaten for a while, it may not urinate until it has been fed a few times and may not defecate for an entire day.

Reduce the time between feedings. If the squirrel is eating well and growing without issues, feed it every hour for four to six hours. Use the following formula:

• 1 part puppy milk replacer
• 2 parts distilled water
• 1/4 part whipped cream or plain yogurt

Warm up the food. You can use a microwave to warm the food. Just like with liquids, introduce soft food to the squirrel slowly. However, as with Pedialyte, you will quickly increase the pace of feeding.

• Do not mix Pedialyte with formula milk. Start with a liquid milk formula. Use 4 parts water to 1 part powder for one day. Then 3 parts water to 1 part powder, and 2 parts water to 1 part powder until the squirrel stops eating soft food.

Wean the baby squirrel off soft food. Once the squirrel is able to eat solid food (when its eyes have opened), you can buy foods like Rodent Block (by Kaytee), Oxbow, or Mazuri from most pet stores. These foods are nutritionally complete and ideal for squirrels. You can also purchase block food specifically made for squirrels from HenrysPets.com. Feed the squirrel these manufactured blocks until it is ready to be released back into the wild.

At first, do not feed the squirrel nuts. Start with healthy greens such as broccoli, kale, or mixed salad greens. Once the squirrel is able to eat solid foods and greens, begin offering fruits and nuts. Limit it to one nut and one or two small fruit pieces per day.

• Just like babies, squirrels will refuse formula food once they have outgrown that stage.
• If the squirrel urinates on its food, don’t worry—this is just a normal behavior of baby squirrels.
• Introduce only one type of food at a time in small portions to avoid diarrhea.
• Avoid picking wild fruits for the squirrel, as many seeds contain toxins that could be fatal.

Get a large cage. Squirrels need enough space to move around. Aim for a cage that’s at least 60x60x100 cm with a perch, bedding, and room for climbing and hiding.

• Place a ceramic water dish inside the cage. If you use a plastic bottle, the squirrel will chew on it, damage it, or ingest plastic.
• Provide toys for the squirrel, such as pinecones, sticks, or large dog bones (washed and safe). Avoid toys that can be shredded, swallowed, or thrown around recklessly (like seed-filled plush toys).
• Include items for the squirrel to gnaw on, as their teeth constantly grow.

Play with the baby squirrel. Squirrels need social interaction, especially when alone. Let them out of the cage for at least one hour a day. If the outside area isn’t safe, you can place the squirrel in a large outdoor cage (which you’ll eventually need) or move it to a different cage inside the house. Never let the squirrel play outside without proper protection. Hawks and other predators are much faster than you, and they could catch the squirrel before you even react. The squirrel might panic and run off, losing its way back.

• Letting them get used to heights is a good idea, so a hanging perch or curtain rod would be useful. Avoid letting the squirrel run on the ground outside as many pet squirrels have been caught by snakes, cats, and other predators.
• Rescue staff often pair baby squirrels with other squirrels before they open their eyes, helping them bond as they grow. This is another reason to take the squirrel to a rescue center: two squirrels will support each other in many ways to survive in the wild.
• Squirrels kept too long in a small cage can develop physical deformities due to lack of space or constant running in a cramped environment.
• After the squirrel stops eating formula, do not take it out of the cage. It is important for the squirrel to maintain its natural fear of humans for safety once it’s released into the wild.

Move the squirrel to an outdoor environment. When the squirrel is 4-5 months old, it’s time to move it to a large outdoor cage, at least 2 meters high. Ensure the cage is predator-proof.

• The cage should have a nest, climbing sticks, and multiple surfaces for jumping and climbing, with a partially covered area to shield from rain. It should have a solid bottom to prevent the squirrel from escaping. If you build the cage yourself, use an escape-proof door to make sure the squirrel can’t jump out when you open the door to feed it. Make sure the door is just big enough for the squirrel, about 10 cm square, for later release. This design allows the squirrel to return safely to the cage if pursued by a predator, without the predator being able to follow. When it’s time to release, simply open this door and allow the squirrel to explore on its own.
• Keep the squirrel in the outdoor cage for at least four weeks before release. During this time, feed the squirrel natural foods to teach it what to forage for in the wild.

Release the squirrel back into the wild. Since the squirrel doesn’t have a mother or siblings, ensure the release area is free of dogs, cats, people who dislike squirrels, and predators. The area should have ample water, food, fruit, and trees with seeds.

• Provide enough food for at least three weeks after release. If you release the squirrel in a yard, set up a food tray and replenish it with fresh food regularly. By now, you know what your squirrel prefers to eat.
• It’s best to release the squirrel where you originally found it, provided it’s safe and has plenty of food.
• Importantly, don’t release the squirrel too early. Four months old is still too young for a squirrel to survive on its own, and it will easily fall prey to other animals.
• Monitor the squirrel during the first week to ensure it can find food, water, and feels confident in its new environment.

• Due to the nature of formula food, the squirrel’s urine will have a strong odor. However, once the squirrel stops consuming formula, the smell will disappear.
• Baby squirrels need companionship. Try to bring your squirrel to a wildlife rescue center where it can bond with other squirrels. They will learn from each other, get familiar with each other, and survive together.
• When you start feeding the squirrel dry nuts, make sure to offer raw nuts. Roasted or salted nuts are completely unsuitable for squirrels. Giving them nuts with hard shells is much easier for them.